Peter Drucker, often called "the father of modern management," once said "The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said." Verbal interactions are, ironically, loaded with unspoken clues. Your tone of voice, gestures, facial expressions and energy level can say much more about your message than the words themselves. Identifying the aspects of nonverbal communication that influence the perceptions of others will help you to more effectively manage the opinions of those with whom you speak.
Space
Edward T. Hall, famed pioneer of intercultural research, asserted that “Each organism, no matter how simple or complex, has around it a sacred bubble of space, a bit of mobile territoriality which only a few other organisms are allowed to penetrate." Personal space is, basically, the area that an individual determines himself, alone, to posses. Every person is surrounded, in his mind, by an invisible boundary that others must not encroach upon without permission. In the United States, for instance, the usual comfortable standing distance among common acquaintances is approximately three feet. In other cultures and countries, however, the amount of space that people maintain between one another can be either shorter or longer. The effect of your nonverbal communication is significantly affected by your ability to follow the rules and regulations of society. By recognizing the cultural restraints on familiarity, you can significantly enhance the quality of your connections with others.
Posture
Many people will make advanced assumptions about the quality of your character based on how you hold and position your body when communicating. A man who stands with an even distribution of weight between both feet, holds his shoulders square but relaxed and gracefully gestures in wide, sweeping strokes, will often be thought of as confident and calm. Dr. Hagan McQuaid, chiropractor and movement specialist, affirms that "A good body posture radiates self-confidence, health and mental well-being." He goes on to say that [posture] " impacts your daily life and the way other people perceive you." Become cognizant of your posture and how you move; doing so will allow you to project the most positive appearance to others.
Facial Expressions
Become conscious of how you fix your face when speaking. A lot can be said through facial expressions and being aware of what yours is projecting can significantly improve your ability to communicate. James A. Russell and Jose Miguel Fernandez-Dols write in "The Psychology of Facial Expressions," "When we turn our eyes to the face of another human being, we often seek and usually find a meaning in all that it does or fails to do." Stand in front of a mirror and talk as you would normally. Notice how you typically use your eyebrows, cheeks, forehead and lips to accentuate the important elements of your ideas. Observe whether you present a full, warm smile that crinkles the corners of your eyes, or if you merely raise the edges of your mouth slightly, in an obligatory gesture. One of the most important things to remember about using your face when speaking is to make sure you do so. Facial expressions give those with whom you speak strong cues on how to receive your message. Neglecting this area of communication can make your words fall flat on the floor.
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